Sweden considers Vietnam as an important partner in Southeast Asia and in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), State Secretary of the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs Annika Soder told Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.

Soder spoke of Vietnam’s achievements of socio-economic development in recent years.

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan in Sweden

They affirmed to support for global trade liberalisation, and agreed to accelerate the official signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Deputy FM Son applauded Sweden’s proposal to set up a strategic partnership with Vietnam in the fields of education-training, science-technology, and health care, thus encouraging Swedish firms specialising in these fields to enhance investment in Vietnam.

He called for closer links between ministries and sectors of the two countries to realise the initiative.

Regarding cooperation between the two foreign ministries, they agreed to hold the first political consultation at deputy minister level in Hanoi by the end of 2017, foster links in personnel training, and soon negotiate to sign a visa exemption agreement for diplomatic passport holders.

Deputy FM Son called on the Swedish Government to continue supporting the Vietnamese community in the country.

During the meeting, the two sides also compared notes on regional and international issues of common concern, including the East Sea issue.

The Vietnamese official congratulated Sweden on its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2017-2018.

State Secretary Soder affirmed with the position, Sweden will make contributions to maintaining peace, stability and security in the world by respecting international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).